Device to clean venetian blind slats



March 27, 1951 H. c. SHIRLEY DEVICE TO CLEAN VENETIAN BLIND SLATS Filed Aug. 23, 1947 INVENTORT f3 N M V Em mp i. C. W m H Patented Mar. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE TO CLEAN VENETIAN BLIND SLATS Harry 0. Shirley, Oakland, Califi, assignor to R. W. Williams, Oakland,,0alif. T

Application August 23, 1947, Serial No. 770,260

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to devices adapted to be utilized to clean Venetian blind slats, or the like, and, more particularly, to a manually operable device adapted to clean slats of Venetian blinds or similar objects.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a device for cleaning Venetian blind slots or similarly relatively thin slats or objects, with a minimum of effort.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned, which is designed in a manner to prevent scratching of painted surfaces of slats cleaned. A further object is to provide a, manually operable device of the character mentioned, which is sturdy of construction, simple to operate and which may be manufactured at relatively low cost.

A further specific object of the present invention is to provide an elongated U-shaped member wherein the free ends of the U-shaped member are each provided with absorbent material adapted to act as wiping elements, and to provide a novel means to attach the said wiping elements to the said free ends.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the following specification and drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view, taken in the direction of line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

The invention comprises, essentially, a generally U-shaped member A, having elongated legs 2 and 2 and wiping elements, generally indicated at 3 and 4, carried by the free ends of said legs, said wiping elements extending from opposite sides of said legs. The U-shaped member is formed of preferably fiat spring metal or other suitable similar resilient material. Normally, the U-shaped member is formed by bending a flat strip of spring steel or other suitable similar resilient material medially so that the legs 2 and 2, in normal uncompressed position, diverge only slightly from one another from the bend, generally indicated at 5, toward their free ends.

The wiping elements, generally indicated at 3 and 4, extend inwardly toward one another from the legs 2 and l a cumulative distance substantially equal to the distance between the legs at the bend, generally indicated at 5, so that when the legs 2 and 2 are pressed together the inside surfacesof the wiping elements 3 and 4 substantially parallel one another. The inside or Wiping surfaces of the wiping elements are compressed toward one another and a slat to be cleaned is positioned therebetween. The wiping elements, preferably formed from sponge or soft sponge-rubber material, effectively contact all of the slat encompassed therebetween in order to enable thorough wiping or scouring of said slat when the device, in compressed position, is moved longitudinally of the slat to be cleaned.

The wiping elements, generally indicated at 3 and 4, are identical and comprise, preferably, a wiping portion 6 formed of natural sponge and a backing portion 1 formed of sponge-rubber. The wiping portion and backing portion may both be formed of the same material and soft sponge-rubber is preferable.

The wiping elements, generally indicated at 3 and 4, are attached to the legs 2 and 2*, respectively, by means now to be described. I prefer to aillx clips 8, formed of a, soft malleable metal either to the backing portion or the wiping portion, by means of a suitable adhesive or the like. The clips 8 are characterized by being provided with two inwardly foldable flaps 9 which are adapted to be folded over a leg to exert a clamping action thereupon. While I have indicated two clips in the drawings, satisfactory results are obtained where only a single clip is utilized and which is preferably of a length commensurate with the cumulative lengths of the two clips il- 7 lustrated in Fig. 2. After the backing portion or wiping portion has been affixed to a leg, by means of clips 8, the remaining portion, either wiping or backing, is positioned thereover and aflixed in place by means of a suitable waterproof adhesive.

I prefer to utilize a snubber I I, formed of rubber or the like, to prevent undesirable movement of the wiping elements relative to the legs 2 and 2 in the direction of the bend 5. Preferably, the snubber is hollow and of substantially the same dimensions as the leg to which it is attached. The legs are passed through the hollow snubber and positioned immediately behind the wiping elements 3 and 4 and may be held in place either by frictional contact with the legs or by means of a suitable adhesive.

In operation, the wiping elements are dipped in a suitable cleaning solution and a slat to be cleaned is disposed between the said wiping elements; the legs of the device are compressed which may be used to clean Venetian blind slats,

or the like, while the said blinds are assembled and in use. A feature of the invention is that the backing portion prevents scratching of adja cent slats being cleaned. Further the means v for attaching the wiping elements,- to the free ends of the device is not only facile from the standpoint of construction but is also eflicient and sturdy in point of use.

While I have described the invention in rather specific detail for purposes of clarity of illustration and example, it is understood that various changes and alterations may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A device for cleaning Venetian blind slats comprising a strip of flat resilient material bent medially to form a substantially U-shaped member and wherein the legs of said member diverge slightly from one another, wipin elements, and means, comprising a clip formed of resilient metal and provided with a foldable flap portion, to attach a leg to a said wiping element, said wiping elements comprising pads of absorbent, porous soft material formed to receive a free end of a said leg therein, said wiping elements arranged to project outwardly from opposite sides of each leg forming a protective cushion around said legs and metal clips.

HARRY C. SHIRLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: V

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

